Anderson was 2-2, 5.13, in seven starts for the Blue Jays in the final five weeks of the 2017 season, and joined the Athletics as a free agent on March 20. He was called up on May 2 and has made three starts (2.02 WHIP, .371 opponents’ batting average).

SATURDAY, 1:07 p.m.

LHP Sean Manaea (5-4, 2.35 ERA) vs. RHP Joe Biagini (0-2, 7.98 ERA)

Manaea threw a no-hitter against Boston on April 21, and has an 0.80 WHIP this season. However, in May, he’s 1-2, 5.60.

DL stints and demotions to triple-A Nashville limited Mengden to seven MLB starts last season. He has allowed two runs or fewer in five of his past six starts. Best handlebar moustache on an Oakland pitcher since Rollie Fingers.

THREE STORYLINES

1. Three-four connection

Oakland’s No. 3 and 4 hitters in the lineup, 2B Jed Lowrie and DH Khris Davis, both entered play Wednesday with 36 RBIs, behind only the 38 RBIs of Baltimore’s Manny Machado. Lowrie has cooled off recently after hitting .372 in his first 20 games, but still was tied for the AL lead in hits with 55. Davis continues to be an all-or-nothing player, with 12 homers, but a .218 batting average and 49 strikeouts.

2. Piscotty’s moment

The baseball world has followed the story of RF Stephen Piscotty, who was traded to Oakland from St. Louis in the off-season so that he could live closer to his mother Gretchen, who was stricken with ALS. Gretchen passed away May 6, and Piscotty spent May 11-14 on MLB’s bereavement list. Tuesday, he flew across the U.S. to rejoin his team in Boston, and homered over the Green Monster in his first at-bat, holding his hand over his heart as he crossed the plate. “It was pure joy. It’s been an emotional week,” he told the media after the game.

3. AL East? Bring ’em on

The Athletics and Blue Jays both entered play Wednesday with a 21-21 record. Oakland — as well as most of MLB — has struggled with the Angels (2-5) and Astros (1-5), but began play Wednesday with an 8-3 record against AL East teams.

STACKING UP

(MLB rankings, yesterday’s games not included)

Toronto Stat Oakland

200 (9th) Runs 191 (12th)

56 (T-5th) HR 52 (10th)

19 (T-17th) SB 7 (30th)

.231 (24th) BA .249 (13th)

.310 (22nd) OBP .321 (14th)

5.69 (29th) SP ERA 4.57 (21st)

3.06 (5th) RP ERA 3.89 (14th)

PLAYERS TO WATCH

OF Teoscar Hernandez, Blue Jays

Two hits, including his seventh homer of the season, on Wednesday, extended his hit streak to five games.

C Jonathan Lucroy, Athletics

Entered play Wednesday hitting .333 (22-for-66) in his past 19 games. The A’s don’t miss anything if backup Bruce Maxwell is unavailable due to legal concerns in the U.S.

DUENCH DECLARES

The Blue Jays’ ability to score in the late innings will be tested by the Athletics, who are 14-0 when leading after seven innings this season. Oakland wins three of four.

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